GAJ to design new Arcadia Secondary School

Godwin Austen Johnson (GAJ) has been appointed for the design of the new Arcadia Secondary School, according to a statement from the architecture firm. The new school will be built in Jumeirah Village Triangle, adjacent to the Arcadia Preparatory School, which the firm also designed.

GAJ notes that the facility will be purpose built for secondary grade students and will be able to accommodate 800 children. The architecture firm says the majority of ground floor classrooms will open into protected spaces, which will provide children safe access to plays areas.

Work on the project is expected to be complete in December 2019. The architecture firm says the new school will be designed keeping sustainable building practices in mind, with the goal of providing a safe, healthy and productive learning environment for students, as well as a comfortable environment for faculty and staff.

“Education today is a constantly evolving science and as such schools require ever changing methods and use of space through which their education can develop. Keeping in mind this required flexibility, which is crucial to the school today and in the future, spaces will be designed to enable both the children and the staff to use, adapt and develop as they see fit,” said Jason Burnside, partner at Godwin Austen Johnson.

GAJ notes that the building will be orientated to provide ease of access on foot and by vehicle, with parking provided in the basement. The school is to feature several sports facilities such as a swimming pool, a full-sized football pitch and a basketball court, the latter of which will be built on the roof.